Boro’s big kick-off in doubt

FOOTBALL: OLDHAM Boro may have to wait for the start of their Vodkat North-West Counties League Division One campaign, which is scheduled to get under way at Formby tomorrow (3pm).

Boro boss Tony Mills has been told the fixture is in doubt.

He explained: “I received an email saying the match is subject to Manchester FA approval, because they are looking into the ‘legal entity’ of Formby.

“It would be a big blow because we are raring to go.”

Formby were relegated from the Premier Division in June after being found guilty of a breach of rules regarding a change of entity not being notified to league bosses or the FA.

A decision regarding tomorrow’s game was due to be taken by noon toda and Boro fans are asked to check the website, www.pitchero.com/clubs/oldhamborofc  

Meanwhile, Mills believes having Gary Brown by his side in the dug-out makes Boro a stronger force this season, after the former Rossendale boss became joint-manager with Mills.

And the pair have challenged their players to ignore last season’s relegation battle and finish mid-table this time — as has Paul Buckley at Chadderton, who host Abbey Hey tomorrow.

Mills said: “Gary came here towards the end of last season to help with the coachin.

“He has now become joint-manager, which is great news for the club.

“We enjoy a good working relationship and he has a lot of good contacts, which can only be a good thing.

“Hopefully, together we can guide the players to a mid-table place.”

Boro have managed to pad out a squad which was desperately short on numbers last term.

Goalkeeper Gary Fleming, defenders Luke Savage and Lee Taylor, midfielders Daniel Whiteside, George Settle, Jake Shannon, Steven Evans and Kyle Parsons, and strikers Brendon Stone, Jermaine Hunt and Adam Orwell have all signed on.